Daily servings of encouragement those w/ illness or pain, a program of Rest Ministries

Menu

Does Having an Invisible Illness Make You Feel Powerless?

Feeling invisible can lead to also feeling powerful, but Shelly share with us how this is just a feeling and not fact. And she has a surprising scripture to show you.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15).

I have an invisible illness. It is also chronic, painful and disabling. Mine hides in my brain, making it even more elusive and mysterious.

How about you?

Have you ever felt invisible?

I was recently reading Colossians when the above scripture jumped off the page. The invisible God.

That was the part that caught at my Spirit. I found myself staring in wonder at the words.

When I feel invisible, I feel small, insignificant, and powerless. Do any of those words accurately describe our King?

The Lord of all Creation is anything but small. If you need proof, check out the galaxy.

Yahweh could never be described as insignificant. If you don’t believe me, listen to a baby laughing.

And oh, His power… unimaginable. You can tell by the iridescence on a butterfly’s wings. Who does that? Who even thinks of it?

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

All those two thousand years that God was invisible, when no eye had seen Him or the Christ, the world knew of Him because they could see His work, His efforts and His nature.

If you are a Christian, a child of the Living God, that same nature and power dwell in you. It’s true.

Don’t let the feeling of being invisible keep you from shining. The shine comes from no effort of yours, and comes at no cost to you. The feeling is a lie from the enemy.

See the difference? You’re in great company, Invisible One.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Prayer: Dear Lord, You see us. You use us. You know just how invisibility feels. Thank You for never leaving our side, for pulling us into Your arms and singing over us. Thank you for seeing us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

About the author:
Shelly Hendricks is a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. She was a teacher and a librarian in another life. She also suffers from Intracranial Hypertension, Interstitial Cystitis, and Essential Tremor. She had brain surgery in 2012 and now considers herself to be a ‘bionic woman’ who is learning to walk again. Disability has been hard to deal with, but she depends on God for all strength and hopes to encourage others on this journey, through her blog at http://reneweddaily.com

How do you see this “invisible God” when you look around you? What puts you into a moment of awe?

Shelly wanted to share this song with you, “Shine” by the Newsboys. Very cool song! The lyrics share all the different things God thought up! I always love looking more closely at nature and wondering why. Why did He decide to make thousands of little succulents that resemble things like baby toes or pearls on a string? Why did he make so many kinds of birds? I hope this song reminds you that just as God is not invisible–neither are you. Blessings, Lisa.

Post navigation

2 thoughts on “Does Having an Invisible Illness Make You Feel Powerless?”

I’m raising my hand! I’ve battled that feeling a lot. A favorite verse, “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 10 :39) Love you, Shelly!!